HEAT TRANSFER: Conduction, convection and
radiation
Remember….
Conduction is in a solid
Convection is in a liquid or gas
Radiation is using waves
EXERCISE 1:
Mark the correct word that describes the heat transfer.
a) Heating a metal saucepan
Conduction
Convection
Radiation
b) Boiling water in a kettle
Conduction
Convection
Radiation
c) Toasting bread
Conduction
Convection
Radiation
d) Cooking a jacket potato in a microwave
Conduction
Convection
Radiation
c) Cooking a jacket potato in an oven
Conduction
Convection
Radiation
d) A hot air balloon
Conduction
Convection
Radiation
1
EXERCISE 2
Conduction
1. What is conduction?
2. What is a solid made up of?
3. Draw what the particles look like in a solid.
4. What happens to these particles when a solid is heated?
5. What do they pass onto each other?
6. What is the best solid that heat travels through?
7. What can metals be used for?
8. Define what an insulator is?
9. How do they work?
2
EXERCISE 3
Convection
1. What is convection?
2. What do the particles in a liquid look like? Draw them.
3. Explain step by step what happens in a convection current? Draw
diagrams too.
3
EXERCISE 4
Radiation
1. What is radiation?
2. What does a vacuum not have in it?
3. What heat is given off by hot objects?
4. Which of these surfaces is a good absorber of heat?
a)
b)
4
EXERCISE 5 - Extension Task
A material that allows vibrations to be passed on easily from particle to
particle is a good conductor of heat. A poor conductor is also called an
insulator. Metals are good conductors. Glass, air, wood and plastic are poor
conductors and therefore are good insulators.
Complete the table below.
Item
What it is
made of
How it helps or prevents heat
flow
Conductor or
insulator?
kettle
element
steel
Allows heat to flow
to the water.
conductor
(heater)
kettle
handle
plastic
pot
pottery
base of the
iron
aluminium
Stops heat flowing out of
the food inside.
5
Item
What it is
made of
ironing
board
wood and
cover
padded fabric
wok
metal (steel
or aluminium)
stirrer
wood
table mats
cork
How it helps or prevents heat
flow
Conductor or
insulator?
6